Texans' Jadeveon Clowney to have minor knee surgery, miss Pro Bowl

Jadeveon Clowney (90) will have minor knee surgery and miss the Pro Bowl.

Photo: Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the National Anthem before the start of the first quarter of an NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cincinnati.

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) during the National Anthem before the start of the first quarter of an NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cincinnati. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) argues a foul called on him during the third quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston

Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) argues a foul called on him during the third quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Texans star outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney is slated to undergo minor arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him for the Pro Bowl, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.

Clowney missed the Pro Bowl last year due to a separate knee scope.

Clowney is expected to make a full recovery and will be able to participate in offseason activities.

Durability finally matched the skills of the gifted run-stopper and pass rusher last season as he played in every game for the first time in his NFL career.

The former top overall pick from South Carolina recorded a career-high 9 1/2 sacks and 20 tackles for losses.

Clowney has been nominated for first-team All-Pro honors.

"I would say that we're very proud of JD," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "He's come a long way. He's overcome injuries. He's become, as you guys know, a top-level player in this league. Just kind of talking to him at the end of the season here, I think he knows what he needs to do to try to get better in certain areas.

"But we really believe in him and the way that he plays the game and the type of leader that he's become. He's got a great personality in that locker room. He has a lot of fun playing the game. He played 16 games, which I think is a huge accomplishment for him. He's got a real bright future moving forward."

This is a pivotal offseason for Clowney.

Due a fifth-year team option salary of $13.846 million, the two-time Pro Bowl selection is expected to land a blockbuster contract extension that could make him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

Clowney's contract could exceed the six-year, $114.1 million contract of Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller. That deal includes $70 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $19.016 million.

Clowney was an even more disruptive force at the line of scrimmage despite being the focal point of opponents' blocking schemes with J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus out for the season.

"That was one of my goals coming into the season," Clowney said. "I achieved my goal to play all 16 games for the first time. I feel pretty good after the season. I'll take a couple of weeks off and try to get ready for next season.